Amma held 3 days of programs in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Center where huge crowds turned out to receive her blessings.

A host of dignitaries were present to welcome Amma to Singapore, including Mr Benny Zin, COO, of the Marina Bay Sands. Other dignitaries welcoming Amma included Mr Neal Chandaria, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Kenya. Mr R Dhinakaran, MP, and Mr M Rajaram Honorary Consul of the Republic of Mali helped Amma distribute some of the 100 scholarships to local children on behalf of the Amriteswari Society of Singapore. Ram Mohan Seth helped launch the program souvenir magazine and Mrs Kirtida Mekhani, a member of the Garden City Fund Committee received a blessed tree sapling from Amma as part of the Green Friends Billion tree campaign.

On all three days of the programs, Amma conducted bhajans, satsangs, and guided meditations. On the last day, a puja was held for world peace and harmony attended to by a huge crowds. The final Devi Bhava darshan ended 9.30 in the morning, after which Amma continued on to Malaysia for her next program to be held the following day evening.

Christmas Eve was celebrated this past Saturday with Amma giving darshan on stage in the Main Hall throughout the day and well past midnight. Thousands of devotees from across India and around the world had come to Amritapuri on their holiday break to be with Amma during this special time of year.

In the middle of the main hall, a makeshift stage had been erected. In what has become an annual event, International guests and residents were going to perform a play. For the past month, they had been rehearsing practically every day for the chance to perform for Amma. Huge screens were set up so that everyone could see, with the words translated into Malayalam.

Just after 9pm, the Christmas play began, ‘A Revelation.’ The play followed the life of Mr. Joe Egoman, who had been spending his entire life in the full clutches of his self image and ego. Eventually he was fortunate enough to meet Amma and try and turn his life around.

Shortly after midnight, Amma’s Christmas message was broadcasted on the large screen while Amma was giving darshan on the stage. Amma said, “There is one thing Amma feels it is important to emphasise:In the same way you celebrate the birthdays of these Mahatmas, with so much care and enthusiasm, you should demonstrate the same care and enthusiasm in putting into practice their teachings in each and every moment of your life. It is said that Christ resurrected three days after he was crucified. The body is comprised of the five elements. It can be cut, injured and destroyed by weapons. However, just like Sri Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita: ‘The Atma or the self cannot be cut by weapons. Fire cannot burn it. Water cannot wet it. The wind cannot dry it. ”It was never born and never dies. It is eternal and indestructible. ‘” Christ’s body was crucified. but his had no effect upon the Atma. If we understand that ‘My nature is that of Atma’, then there is no death.

The message was translated in to English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Finnish.

Afterwards, trays of Christmas cake were brought up to Amma for her to bless. The cake prasad was then distributed to everyone.

During the 5 day visit to Dearborn, Michigan, Amma conducted two days of public programs as well as a 3 day retreat.

On the first day of her visit, Amma was welcomed by several local dignitaries including the Mayor of Southfield, Michigan Ms. Brenda Lawrence and Michigan State Representative Mr. Phil Cabinot. Representative Cabinot stated, “I just wanted to say what an honor it is for me to be here and welcome her holiness Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. I can feel the love, peace, and tranquility as well as the unity and harmony in this room and I am moved by it.”

After departing Europe, Amma flew over 5000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to Her ashram situated in the rolling hills of San Ramon, California for a week long program.

Thousands of devotees braved the rain showers and the cold weather to come and receive Amma’s blessings. Hollywood actor Kurt Russell made his way to Amma’s ashram. He too, was eager to find out what was drawing such large crowds on one of the biggest American holidays, Thanksgiving.
In addition, Leland H. Hartwell, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine, came to discover the true peace that one feels while being in Amma’s arms. He said, ” It was very nice to meet Amma because I have heard so much about her and have seen the result of her work. It was a great honor to spend so much time with her.”

Amma served a Thanksgiving dinner to all her children present on Thursday night, leaving the devotees filled with happiness and gratitude.

Amma arrived at Amritapuri at 11.52 am after her Europe and USA yatra. Smiling and spreading joy she walked slowly to her room, touching some, gesturing to others and glancing all. A lot of new people from India and abroad were there to get a glimpse of Amma. Some of them were tiny tots who came with their parents.

Before traveling to London to conclude her 25th European Tour, Amma visited her center near Antwerp, Belgium. She spent the day there with local devotees and served a prasad lunch. From there Amma continued on to the United Kingdom and conducted a 3 day program in London, where thousands queued for long hours to receive an embrace at the historic Alexandra Palace.
Meditations, Bhajans and Satsangs were held, along with a Puja conducted for world peace.

There was an extensive media presence during the programs. Amma’s visit was covered by almost all major media outlets including the BBC, The Telegraph, and The Sun.

During her satsang there Amma said: “Worldly life is like climbing a big mountain. When a mountaineer climbs a mountain, he/she will tie a lifeline to their waist, which is attached to the mountain. In case they slip while climbing the mountain, they won’t fall, because of the lifeline tied to them. In a similar way, if we tie to our minds the “lifeline” of devotion to God or remembrance of God, then no matter how many difficulties or adversities we may face in life, we will never suffer.”

10 -12 November, Mannheim, Germany – Europe Yatra 2011
After Barcelona Amma travelled to Mannheim, Germany for the next stop of the Europe tour. Being the last weekend stop of the tour, devotees flooded in from all corners of the continent for one last chance to see Amma before the end of the tour.

On the first evening Amma was greeted by several local dignitaries. Renowned artist Gabriele von Lutzau, who collaborated with AYUDH during the 2011 summer retreat officially welcomed Amma to Mannheim. She is the artist who helped create the dove statue which was placed in the renovated park area at Heilig-Kreuz. It stands as a symbol of the eight Youth Development Goals.{news} The central pole of the monument carries a dove – universal symbol for peace and hope. Ms von Lutzau presented Amma with the final sculpture that will be installed in the park.

Amma was also welcomed by Mr. Dieter Heusel, Youth Coordinator for the city of Michelstadt. He presented Amma with a painting of the Michelstadt town hall, one of the oldest in Germany. Also on the dais was Mr Harish Chander, Cousul of the Indian Embassy, Frankfurt.

Amma began her visit to Spain by spending a day in the Barcelona Ashram and inviting all of the devotees there for lunch.

Before serving the meal Amma delighted all the devotees present when she lead the beginning of the guided meditation in Spanish.

The following three days, large crowds filled the Palau d’Esport hall in Granollers, Barcelona.

The Mayor of the city of Granollers, Mr. Josep Mayoral i Antigas, came to officially welcome Amma to the city. Amma was also greeted by Mr. Salvador Jorba, a delegate from the Cataluña State government. After meeting Amma, Mr Jorba shard his thoughts, “The most important thing i felt is love. I think that if love is possible to transmit in a physical form, Amma achieves this. She achieves to transmit this sensation of internal love. After darshan I felt peace, serenity, tranquility and spirituality. It’s a real gift to receive such spirituality.”

Amma’s annual visit to the south of France once again brought her to the Zenith Omega hall in Toulon.

Huge crowds filled the venue for the three days for programs there.

Her visit was given extensive media coverage, including the newspaper “Var-matin” with a front-page article titled “Amma: l’amour, toujours!” which translates to “Amma: Love, Forever!”

Sister Marie Samuel, head of a Catholic nun monastery, who came for Amma’s darshan for share her views on Amma and she said: “A saint, an Indian saint, a high saint, truly. She is close to God but also close to her human brothers in pain and sorrow. She is authentic. Yesterday, I saw the film (Embracing the world) in the hall, I had tears in my eyes, she didn’t hesitate to go to Japan, near the sea, despite the contamination. She is working in all fields and this is unique in the World. Mother Teresa gave so much in India, but I think that Amma is doing even more.”

Some others spoke of how Amma and her teachings had inspired them during times of crisis. One gentleman said:”In June 2010, a devastating flood hit the town of Draguignan in France. We gathered a group of volunteers to go and help the people who were in need. We can see that because of Amma, because of the link that she has created, we can still harbor a feeling of solidarity, offer our help and time to others. Which unfortunately is becoming a value that is disappearing in today’s society.”

Amma’s message of love and hope continue to inspire the people around the world in profound ways.